[_Emerging amazed on all fours._] Highness! THE DUKE. An accident. Excuse me. Just come in. SEDLINZKY. [_Standing._] You knew me? Yet I was-- THE DUKE. Flat on your stomach? Oh yes, I knew you. [_He sees the_ ARCHDUCHESS, _who enters hurriedly carrying a large album._] Ah, I feared as much! They've frightened you. THE ARCHDUCHESS. They told me-- THE DUKE. It was nothing. THE ARCHDUCHESS. But yet-- THE DUKE. [_Seeing_ DOCTOR MALFATTI _enter._] The doctor! But I am not ill! [_To the_ ARCHDUCHESS.] Nothing. A choking. So I left parade. I had been shouting. [_To the_ DOCTOR, _who is feeling his pulse._] Doctor, you're a nuisance! [_To_ SEDLINZKY, _who is sidling toward the door._] 'Twas very kind of you to sort my papers. You're spoiling me. Indeed you are. You've chosen Even my lackeys from among your friends. SEDLINZKY. Your Highness does not think--! THE DUKE. I shouldn't mind If only they performed their duties better. But I am villainously groomed. My stock Rides up. In short, since this is your department, I wish you'd black my boots a little better. [_A_ LACKEY _brings a tray with refreshments, which the_ DOCTOR _takes._] THE ARCHDUCHESS. [_Anxious to help the_ DUKE _from the tray._] Franz-- THE DUKE. [_To_ SEDLINZKY, _who is again making for the door._] You take nothing--? SEDLINZKY. I have taken-- THE ARCHDUCHESS. A Tartar! THE DUKE. Orders, Foresti! FORESTI. Colonel! THE DUKE. We'll manoeuvre At early dawn the day after to-morrow; Assemble at Grosshofen. FORESTI. Good, my Colonel! THE DUKE. [_To the_ OFFICERS.] I'll not detain you, gentlemen. Good-day. [FORESTI _and the_ OFFICERS _go out._] THE DUKE. [_To_ SEDLINZKY, _taking a letter out of his pocket, and tossing it toward him._] Dear Count, here is another you've not read. [SEDLINZKY _and the_ DOCTOR _go out._] DIETRICHSTEIN. [_Who came in a moment ago._] I think you treat him rather harshly, Highness. THE ARCHDUCHESS. Is not the Duke at perfect liberty? DIETRICHSTEIN. Of course the Duke is not a prisoner, but-- THE DUKE.